Strengthening and supporting disaster recovery workers: Evidence-based tools for recovery workforce sustainability

Recovery workers – often embedded for extended periods in disaster-affected communities – play a vital role in reconstruction, restoration and recovery. Despite this, their work remains under-supported, under-researched, and frequently misunderstood. While first responders have rightly received increased mental health investment, recovery workers face unique, long-term risks that are not adequately addressed by current systems or models.

This project aims to generate evidence, amplify lived experience, and co-design practical tools to strengthen the wellbeing and effectiveness of recovery workers across Australia.